Advantages and Disadvantages
of ICT in the classroom.
Technological development and advancement in the west has been very impactful. Due to globalization and changes, the advancement of technology has made its way in the field of learning and education. One of the most important change was seen in classrooms where ICT, Information and Communication Technology has been integrated to make the process of learning quite easy. Integration of ICT in the classroom is seen as something revolutionary. Moving from primitive method of teaching to modern way of teaching through integration of ICT was seen as moving from a dark age to light age. However, despite the benefits of ICT in classrooms, there are certain issues and challenges in integrating the ICT in classrooms.
The first and foremost benefit of ICT in learning is that it allows dynamic and cooperative learning among the students. With the access to the Internet, learning is not limited to school hours or in school boundary. Instead it gives the learners opportunity to learn and study.
A rural student can access information of an urban student and share it to a foreign students, be it during the school hours or holidays. With access to the Internet, the dependency of the students on teachers will also be minimal and the student will be able to know when to explore, how to explore and what to explore from the internet. When the students explore the information by themselves, it ensure their attention and concentration on that particular topic or subject, making them well educated in that particular topic and subject.
However, due to limited financial aid from the government and the ability to adapt to the modern facilities there are some challenges. Making them accessible to ICT requires huge financial support because of expensive materials. In Bhutan the cost of internet is very high as well as other electronic equipments are also expensive. The adaptability is also a question, since ICT in general isn’t common in the field of teaching anywhere in the country before. During the school closure last year, we all came to know the importance and challenges of using ICT.
